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Thumbs up for the hardwired crowd!!! Wireless is fine for phones and tablets and such but when you need to throw real data across a network (ie - backup) wired is the only way to fly.
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my understanding is I prefer the unmanaged one because I just want to plug cables and not deal with setup anything. i am not sophisticated enough to deal with managed switch.
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my understanding is I prefer the unmanaged one because I just want to plug cables and not deal with setup anything. i am not sophisticated enough to deal with managed switch.
You do not "need" to do anything with the managed switch. It will work as a switch. Managed just allows you to do remote management
Thumbs up for the hardwired crowd!!! Wireless is fine for phones and tablets and such but when you need to throw real data across a network (ie - backup) wired is the only way to fly.
Thumbs up for the hardwired crowd!!! Wireless is fine for phones and tablets and such but when you need to throw real data across a network (ie - backup) wired is the only way to fly.
Meaning if you are a gamer or hardcore video streamer 😶 🌫️
I'm curious to know how the "Netgear Unmanaged Switch" in the OP compares to this switch here which I just bought.
The switch you got is definitely a better switch, and pretty minimal price difference. The most common reason folks go with managed/smart switches is because they want to do vlans or want some extra security features. I personally also like the ability to actually log into the switch and *see things*, whether its connected devices, port status, traffic stats, etc... The managed switch is going to pull an IP address and have a management interface where the unmanaged dumb switch will not. These are both within the same manufacturer product line, so shouldn't be a big difference in physical quality.
My gut is that folks interested in something with 8 ports normally have a reason for needing a switch that big (they aren't just plugging in a single machine) and the extra flexibility the smart switch has comes in handy. I jumped on the $10 tp-link smart switch a few days ago (5 ports) which is another solid option. That netgear for $25 is a solid option for a name brand.
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I have a bunch of these, and they have been flawless for a very long time. The only complaint I have about this one and most basic switches is that it would be helpful if the lights were on the front while the network and power connections are on the back. With both network jacks and their built-in LEDs on the same side, it makes it difficult to make a clean desktop installation if you're the sort of geek that likes to see by the lights what the connection speeds are and which ones are active.
Just stay away from the Netgear switches that are housed in white plastic. I have had a 100% failure rate on the several I bought back in the day.
They should be the same except for minor differences. If it's anything like the GS105 vs GS305 it should be the 108. On the 5 port version the only difference between the two is the GS105 has extra link speed LEDs and a lifetime warranty and is meant for businesses. I have the GS105 - just be warned that the extra set of LEDs make it quite bright compared to the dimmer 305 (which I've also tried), so not great for a bedroom. If the extra brightness isn't a deal breaker and it's only a couple bucks difference, get the 105/108.
Last edited by pgharibi June 12, 2025 at 11:44 AM.
They should be the same except for minor differences. If it's anything like the GS105 vs GS305 it should be the 108. On the 5 port version the only difference between the two is the GS105 has extra link speed LEDs and a lifetime warranty and is meant for businesses. I have the GS105 - just be warned that the extra set of LEDs make it quite bright compared to the dimmer 305 (which I've also tried), so not great for a bedroom. If the extra brightness isn't a deal breaker and it's only a couple bucks difference, get the 105/108.
There's also this SG108 by TP-Link, which I purchased two days ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A121...title&th=1
ChatGPT told me it was better than this Netgear 308, meant for enterprise vs consumer, more reliable, but the same in terms of capabilities. But it's the first time I've ever bought a switch. Also, not sure which brand has better support. What are your thoughts?
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There's also this SG108 by TP-Link, which I purchased two days ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A121...title&th=1[amazon.com]
ChatGPT told me it was better than this Netgear 308, meant for enterprise vs consumer, more reliable, but the same in terms of capabilities. But it's the first time I've ever bought a switch. Also, not sure which brand has better support. What are your thoughts?
Cheap unmanaged switches for home and small office are all basically a commodity, there isn't too differentiation between them other than one might have a plastic enclosure and one might have a metal one, Gigabit speed vs more than gigabit, and the number of ports. Why would you need support for a switch? It's a buy and don't think too much about it thing. There's no software or firmware updates.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank cjcain
My gut is that folks interested in something with 8 ports normally have a reason for needing a switch that big (they aren't just plugging in a single machine) and the extra flexibility the smart switch has comes in handy. I jumped on the $10 tp-link smart switch a few days ago (5 ports) which is another solid option. That netgear for $25 is a solid option for a name brand.
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Just stay away from the Netgear switches that are housed in white plastic. I have had a 100% failure rate on the several I bought back in the day.
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If he wasn't born with this knowledge he shouldn't ask questions.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A121...title
ChatGPT told me it was better than this Netgear 308, meant for enterprise vs consumer, more reliable, but the same in terms of capabilities. But it's the first time I've ever bought a switch. Also, not sure which brand has better support. What are your thoughts?
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A121...title&th=1 [amazon.com]
ChatGPT told me it was better than this Netgear 308, meant for enterprise vs consumer, more reliable, but the same in terms of capabilities. But it's the first time I've ever bought a switch. Also, not sure which brand has better support. What are your thoughts?
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